Mark González

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Mark Dennis González Hoffman, (born 10 July 1984) commonly known as Mark González, is a Chilean footballer whose preferred position is as a left winger. Renowned for his lightning pace, he is nicknamed "Speedy González". González currently plays for CSKA Moscow.

[edit] Early life

Mark González was born in Durban, South Africa. He was named after Mark Tovey and Dennis Wicks, both footballers his father Raul González, himself a Chilean international, was friends with while playing for NSL champions Durban Bush Bucks during the mid-1980s.^[1] He returned to Chile with his mother as a 10-year-old.

[edit] Career

[edit] Albacete

González had agreed a move to Liverpool F.C. on loan for the 2005-06 season (with a view to a permanent £1.5 million move) from Albacete Balompié. However, he was denied a work permit by the Department of Education and Employment in August 2005. The Liverpool management showed great faith in González, pursuing his services despite work permit troubles and a cruciate knee ligament injury. After a quicker than expected return to fitness Liverpool were persuaded to make the move permanent in October 2005, but the player was immediately loaned back to Albacete to continue his recouperation after an appeal against the earlier work permit decision was rejected (a new work permit application can only be put forward one year after the original application). Arrangements were then made for the player to spend a loan spell at Real Sociedad until summer 2006.

[edit] Real Sociedad

At Sociedad González put in some impressive performances, most notably against Real Madrid, against whom he scored Sociedad's equaliser as the game finished 1-1. He only started 12 games for Sociedad scoring 5 goals. Sociedad have shown interest in taking him permanently, along with several other La Liga clubs, but González is quoted to have said "I am very thankful to Real Sociedad and their coach Jose Mari Bakero, but while they'd like me to stay I'm going to England to join Liverpool."^[2]

González is now eligible for a Spanish passport, and a work permit application has now been granted. On 30 June 2006, Mark González retired from international football, at the tender age of 21. This was due to a rift with the national team coach who had sent him home from the Chilean international tour. However he has recently made himself available again for selection with the national team.

[edit] Liverpool FC

On July 5, 2006, González was granted a work permit, and was allowed to start his Liverpool career, wearing the number 11 shirt. His manager, Rafael Benítez, said "This is very good news for us and I am absolutely delighted to welcome Mark González to Liverpool as he is a player the supporters will like to see," Mark González made his first appearance coming on as a sub at half time in a pre-season friendly against Crewe Alexandra.

González made an excellent first impression on his competitive debut on August 9, 2006 against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, coming off the bench (in the 85th minute for Steven Gerrard) to score an 88th minute winner in Liverpool's Champions League 3rd Round Qualifier to seal a 2-1 win.^[3] He scored his first Premiership goal in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on his first Premiership start for the club.^[4] He scored just once more for Liverpool, in a 4-0 win over Fulham in December.^[5]

González was injured inside the first ten minutes of the quarter finals of the Carling Cup against Arsenal F.C. on January 9, 2007. He was brought off on a stretcher for Luis García, who was also subbed injured later in the match.

[edit] Real Betis

On May 24, 2007, Rafael Benítez confirmed that Liverpool had almost reached an agreement with Real Betis over the Chilean winger. ^[6] On June 12 Mark González confirmed he has signed a contract for £.5 million with Real Betis. Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on July 17, 2007. He went on to score on his home debut with a penalty goal in the 1-0 victory over Champions League Winners AC Milan in the Centenary Match in front of 55,000 Beticos. González scored in a famous 2-1 victory over high-flying Real Madrid to steer Real Betis out of the relegation zone in La Liga. González scored ten goals in 44 first team appearances for the club. Betis received an offer of €11M from an unnamed club in July 2008.^[7].

[edit] CSKA Moscow

In June 2009 and following the relegation of Real Betis, Greek double holders Olympiacos made an offer of €3M in order to secure him a starting eleven position in their squad for the forthcoming Champions League, but CSKA Moscow offered €6.5M and on August 11, 2009 the player signed 5-year deal with the Russian club.^[8][9] He debuted for the club on August 16, 2009, in a league match away to Lokomotiv Moscow.

[edit] Career honours

Universidad Católica

• 2003 Liguilla Pre-Sudamericana (Chile)

Liverpool

• 2006-07 FA Community Shield
• 2006-07 UEFA Champions League Runner-up

[edit] Statistics

Correct as of 1 May2008.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Bafana are left to rue the one who got away". Capeargus.co.za. February 14, 2009. http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4841875. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
2. ^ "Gonzalez committed to Reds". Skysports.com. May 10, 2006. http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=386103&CPID=8&clid=14&lid=2&title=Gonzalez+committed+to+Reds. Retrieved 2007-05-24. 
3. ^ "Liverpool 2-1 Maccabi Haifa". BBC. 9 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5255220.stm. Retrieved 3 November 2009. 
4. ^ "Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham". BBC. 23 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5351884.stm. Retrieved 3 November 2009. 
5. ^ "Liverpool 4-0 Fulham". BBC. 10 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6201456.stm. Retrieved 3 November 2009. 
6. ^ "González set to leave Reds". Report on liverpoolfc.tv. May 24, 2007. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156037070524-0837.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-24. 
7. ^ "Offer for Betis duo". Report on /www.realbetisbalompie.es. July 16, 2008. http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/noticias/ultimahora.html?id=4740. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
8. ^ Mira, Luís (2009-08-11). "Official: CSKA Moscow Sign Betis Winger Mark Gonzalez". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/08/11/1434886/official-cska-moscow-sign-betis-winger-mark-gonzalez. Retrieved 2009-08-15. 
9. ^ "PFC CSKA sign Mark Gonzalez". PFC CSKA Moscow. 2009-08-12. http://www.pfc-cska.com/press.php?lg=en&type=1&id=5034. Retrieved 2009-08-15. 

[edit] External links

• (Spanish) Official website of Real Betis Balompié S.A.D.
• Mark González career stats at Soccerbase

v • d • e Chile squad – 2004 Copa América 1 Bravo • 2 Álvarez • 3 L. Fuentes • 4 Pérez • 5 Ramírez • 6 Acuña • 7 Valenzuela • 8 Millar • 9 S. González • 10 Jiménez • 11 M. González • 12 Varas • 13 I. Fuentes • 14 Villarroel • 15 Mancilla • 16 Cisternas • 17 Mirosevic • 18 Meléndez • 19 Olarra • 20 Aros • 21 Figueroa • 22 Galaz • Coach: Olmos

v • d • e Chile squad – 2007 Copa América 1 Bravo • 2 Ormeño • 3 Rocco • 4 Fuentes • 5 Riffo • 6 Cabión • 7 Tello • 8 Suazo • 9 Navia • 10 Valdivia • 11 González • 12 Peric • 13 Vargas • 14 Fernández • 15 Contreras • 16 Iturra • 17 Sanhueza • 18 Meléndez • 19 Jara • 20 Fierro • 21 Villanueva • 22 Lorca • Coach: Acosta